“Tired CNA” posted a comment on my blog, saying she wished there were something that could be done about alert residents who ring their call bells 30 times a day. And there is. Here are some suggestions: Residents who ring their call bells frequently are often anxious, needing what seems like constant reassurance. Quell their … Read more
“What the f***!” Ms. Webster was red in the face, shouting at the nurse who’d just arrived for the evening shift. “The day nurse told me I was moving to the third floor — now you tell me I’m not? You people better get your s*** together!” She began hurling onto the bed the belongings … Read more
Check out my article, featured in McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: http://www.mcknights.com/after-natural-disasters-coping-with-resident-and-staff-emotions/article/21821/
“Come on now, Vera, honey,” the nurse said in a high-pitched, sing-song voice, “be a good girl and take this nice candy.” Vera swung her arm and knocked the tiny cups of pills to the floor. In their 2009 study, Elderspeak Commnunication: Impact on Dementia Care, Kristine N. Williams, RN, PhD, and her colleagues … Read more
I went for my annual mammogram last week, leaving work early to do so and throwing my schedule into chaos. When I arrived at the diagnostic center, the woman at the desk told me someone else would be out to talk to me. Never a good sign. The second lady took an apologetic tone. “The … Read more
I just finished reading A Bittersweet Season: Caring for Our Aging Parents — and Ourselves, by Jane Gross, founder of the New York Times’ New Old Age blog. A chronicle of her mother’s last years, the book is part love story, part cautionary tale. Jane Gross bravely shares intimate details of her family’s journey down … Read more
It was around Easter time one year when the following exchange took place: “Hand me my peeps,” Isabelle commanded from her geri-recliner. She pointed to something behind me. I turned and saw a package of yellow baby-chick-shaped marshmallows on her tray table. The word “Peeps” was written on the front of the box. I handed … Read more
“My aide treats me like I’m an idiot,” Katrina typed to me on her talking computer. “What do you mean?” “She thinks I don’t know what’s going on!” Her eyes radiated her emotional pain. “She’s a bitch!” A series of strokes had stolen Katrina’s ability to speak, leaving her a silent observer of her surroundings … Read more
THE PROBLEM: Because of their personality styles, some nursing home residents don’t ask for their PRN (as needed, or “per request of the nurse”) pain medication when they need it. The reasons for this vary: Psychologist, finding the resident in pain: “Why didn’t you tell the nurse?” Passive: “I didn’t want to bother her.” Macho: … Read more
Looking for a great, inexpensive way to create some good will and holiday cheer at the nursing home this year? Why not set up a call center using Skype? Residents, families, and staff members can sign up to call loved ones around the globe, conversing with them via video call. What it would take: A … Read more